With the Holidays around the corner and Thanksgiving being this week, it can be a little overwhelming to think about just what you are going to make, who is going to come, and how to decorate! When we initially invented the Smart Garden, we saw it as a way to make gardening easier; however, we hope that this year the Smart Garden can help make your Holiday season easier! By using your Smart Garden, you can create healthy, but tasty, dishes for your guests, or bring them to any of the parties you’re attending or even uses the herbs and flowers as decoration and garnishes for the table and drinks! We have combined a list of ways your indoor garden can help make your holidays easier.
Smart Presentation:
Table centerpieces are a great time to showcase your creative spirit and display your theme or mood for dinner. We draw up some inspiration that we plan to try out and hopefully our Smart Gardens can assist in making it happen!
Spruce
Lavender
Dill
Drink Smart, Drink Responsibly:
Starting off with drinks can help to keep your guests entertained and mingling while you might be finishing up any last-minute preparations or table settings! While there are always different drinks that pair well with specific meals and dishes we wanted to focus on festive cocktails for the occasion. Also, for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, the Cranberry Orange Champagne Mimosa can be served without the champagne. Just don’t forget to pour yourself a glass for setting everything up!
Limoncello-Gin Cocktail with Grilled Thyme
Ingredients
- 2 large sprigs fresh thyme; more for garnish
- 1-1/2 fl. oz. (3 Tbs.) gin, preferably Bluecoat American Dry
- 1/2 fl. oz. (1 Tbs.) limoncello, preferably Averna Limoni di Sicilia
- 1/2 fl. oz. (1 Tbs.) fresh lime juice
For preparation information read more at Foodily.com
Cranberry Orange Champagne Mimosa with Candid Rosemary
Ingredients
- 3 cups cranberry orange juice (I use this natural brand)
- 3 cups champagne
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 rosemary sprigs
- 6 orange slices , for garnish
For preparation information read more at VegetarianVentures.com
Smart Garden to Table:
To avoid the "itis," the feeling we all know too well that comes from loading up on grandma’s mash potatoes, turkey, and a plate full of mac and cheese, we can make dishes that help to cut the carbs and grease! By using the organic herbs and vegetables from your Smart Garden, you can create meals that bring forth not only nutrients but are tasty enough that the whole family to want seconds!
Roasted Beets with Grapefruit and Rosemary
- 4 pounds medium beets (any color), scrubbed
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
- Kosher salt
- 1 large grapefruit
- 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced into rings
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup rosemary leaves
For full step by step instructions check out Bonappetit.com
Kale and Cucumber Salad with Roasted Ginger Dressing
Dressing
- 8 ounces fresh ginger
- 1 green or red Thai chile
- 1 garlic clove
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Assembly
- 1 bunch small Red Russian kale, ribs and stems removed, leaves torn into bite-size pieces
- 1 English hothouse cucumber, very thinly sliced
- 3 Persian cucumbers, very thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Kosher salt
- 1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup store-bought fried onions
For full step by step instructions check out Bonappetit.com
With whatever you are growing, feel free to get creative, but just don’t forget to bring your Smart Garden to the table!
